Microbiologist

Plainsview Hospital is a prominent nursing home located in Kiambu County, Kenya, which has been serving the community since 1999. It operates a Diagnostics Department dedicated to providing essential medical services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of precise, prompt, and high-quality microbiology laboratory services. This includes performing various tests such as culture processing, microscopic examination, identifying organisms, and conducting antimicrobial sensitivity testing. The ideal candidate should possess strong technical skills, meticulous attention to detail, a commitment to patient safety, and strict adherence to laboratory quality management and biosafety standards.

1. Conduct microbiology laboratory tests, including sample processing, microscopy, culture, organism identification, and antimicrobial sensitivity testing.
2. Ensure correct handling, labeling, incubation, documentation, and reporting of samples according to approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
3. Report microbiology results promptly and communicate urgent or significant findings through established channels.
4. Maintain laboratory quality standards, covering Internal Quality Control (IQC), External Quality Assessment (EQA), equipment monitoring, and contamination control.
5. Ensure compliance with biosafety protocols, infection prevention standards, and laboratory waste management procedures.
6. Collaborate with clinicians, nursing, pharmacy, and infection prevention teams to support patient management and antimicrobial stewardship.
7. Ensure accurate documentation and billing for all microbiology tests performed.
8. Monitor and escalate issues related to reagent wastage, stock-outs, delayed turnaround times, and quality deficiencies.
9. Maintain laboratory records and support compliance with SafeCare, ISO 15189, and other relevant quality standards.
10. Participate in Continuous Professional Development (CPD), competency assessments, quality improvement initiatives, and departmental training.

1. Hold a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
2. Possess valid registration and a current practicing license from the relevant professional regulatory body.
3. Demonstrate training or competence in clinical microbiology, culture and sensitivity testing, and laboratory biosafety.
4. Have previous experience in hospital microbiology, infection prevention support, laboratory quality systems, and reporting.
5. Possess strong technical knowledge and practical skills in clinical microbiology.
6. Be competent in culture processing, microscopy, and antimicrobial sensitivity testing.
7. Have knowledge of laboratory quality control, EQA, and accreditation requirements.
8. Understand biosafety and infection prevention practices well.
9. Exhibit strong analytical, documentation, and reporting skills.
10. Be able to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
11. Demonstrate high levels of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability.
12. Possess good time management and attention to detail.